Brazil in a wave of football corruption

Brazilians are no strangers to political scandals. Yet the latest corruption allegations to grab headlines strike at an area close to the national heart – football.

Over the past few days, Orlando Silva, the sports minister, has been fighting claims that he received payments in exchange for government grants to sporting organisations.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Teixeira (picture below), the head of Brazilian football, faces an investigation into allegations of corruption related to his dealings with the sport.

Both men have denied the allegations. But the scandals, which come in advance of Brazil’s plans to stage the football World Cup in 2014, are likely to strengthen a growing sense of anger among Brazilians about corruption.